Students put their knowledge and skills to the test and competed in 67 different categories during the regional contest at the Blair County Convention Center and three off-site locations, including Stuckey Automotive’s Collision Center in Duncansville.

But only those who earned a gold medal in each category will travel to Hershey in April for the statewide competition, according to Stephanie Parks, the lead adviser for the Huntingdon County Career and Technology Center, which co-hosted the competition this year. The national competition will be held in June in Atlanta, Georgia, she said.

This year was Parks’ first as an organizer of the competition, which was postponed by two hours from its original start time because of school weather delays.

Students reported feelings of stress as they were constrained with time limits and were being judged for the efficiency of their skills and the quality of their work. Many said their teachers prepared them for success.

Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center students Colleen Erickson (left) and Chloe Ulino compete in the cake decorating competition during the District 7 SkillsUSA Skill & Leadership Championships at the Blair County Convention Center on Wednesday. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

In the TeamWorks competition, students had to work together as a team to demonstrate skills in four different areas: electrical, framing, masonry and plumbing.

State College Area High School students Henry Smith, Ari Folmar, Alexis Papazoglou and Preston Brandenburg said they did well together, thanks to their instructor, Dylan Wadlington.

Wadlington said he was “super proud” of his students because some of the topics, like masonry, they haven’t covered in class yet. Still, they worked together to develop a plan and promptly take action.

“That reflects the workplace,” Wadlington said, adding construction work requires communication and delegating jobs to team members.

“In the real world, you are put on the spot, and you are expected to deliver. No matter what your experience level is, you’re expected to stand up and deliver,” he said.

Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center students Charielys Bauman (left) and Carlie Colabove compete in the Esthetics program's daytime makeup competition during the District 7 SkillsUSA Skill & Leadership Championships at the Blair County Convention Center on Wednesday. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center students Kayla Delozier and Evan Hollenvach said they enjoy learning about architectural and technical drafting because their teacher, Dusty Mauk, is able to joke around and have fun with them.

Hollenvach said he felt well prepared because of the education he received.

“I was going against one other person, and he almost got a perfect score last year. I don’t know if I’m going to get first, but at the very least, I’m glad to be here,” he said.

Nicole Weible, a cosmetology student at Jefferson County Technical School, said she had to complete a written test as well as create quality haircuts and updos in relation to a reference picture the students were given. She had an hour to complete the tasks.

“The other girls had really pretty updos, and I was like, ‘Oh, mine isn’t as good as theirs,'” she said. “It was hard to focus because, at the same time, they were building houses over there in the corner.”

Koda Gould, a Bedford High School student who participated in the culinary arts competition, said she had some concerns about her results because she had to make a risotto, which she had never done before Wednesday.

“The main thing that kept me calm was the thought of my grandma,” Gould said. “She (told) me that no matter how I did, as long as I tried my best, that’s good enough.”

About 30 students at Stuckey Automotive’s Collision Center competed in five categories, including automotive maintenance and light repair, collision damage appraisal and automotive service technology.

Stuckey Automotive Marketing Director Karen Beauchamp said they have had a strong relationship with the career and technology centers for many years. Students have utilized Stuckey’s centers for their competitions for about five years, she said.

“It’s just one of the many facets of working with the community that we really enjoy,” Beauchamp said.

Other offsite competitions were held at Carpenters Union Local 423 and Roundhouse Harley-Davidson, both in Duncansville.

Parks said four students participated in motorcycle service technology and power equipment technology competitions at Roundhouse Harley-Davidson while 15 students were at the Carpenters Union in carpentry, welding and building construction competitions.